Weekly Notable Shows

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Buckwheat Zydeco

How much does this guy epitomize zydeco? It's his last fucking name, people! Seriously, Buckwheat is damn good, and his shows are always a fun time—he'll probably make even the swank (and beautiful) Triple Door rock like a house party. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $22

Cowboy Junkies

You can play their amazing cover of "Sweet Jane" for hours on loop without tiring of it. Sacrilege, shmacrilege: The Junkies' sly, sad version—nudged into greatness by Margo Timmins' velvety vocals—beats the pants off Lou Reed's jokey original. Their own twang-pop work is uneven, but you gotta give props to a band that names an album In the Time Before Llamas. Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy N.E., 206-205-3661, 7 p.m. $39.50/$49.50

A member, by marriage, of country music's most important family (the Carters), and, of course, the daughter of its most iconic son, Cash performs tonight in our city's most august venue. Touring with her recent Rules of Travel, fans should expect a roots-heavy set likely augmented with songs befitting the setting. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $55

Cex

Cex is natural, Cex is fun, Cex is best when he's one on one. Prolific, Baltimore-based indie-rapper Ryjan "Cex" Kidwell is finally earning acclaim for his self-flagellating Nine Inch beat missives, although most of the fun stems from shows that have a tendency to take place entirely in the confused audience's space, with the scantily clad provocateur embodying his moniker. Paradox Theatre, 1401 N.W. Leary Way, 8 p.m. $8

Clash Cover Night

The Fall-Outs, Glorious, Optimus Rhyme, Robb Benson, Mellors, Comb*Over, Down With People, Boomtown Zombie Hipsters, Ms. Led, the Capillaries, and Downpilot all take turns "digging up the bones of Strummer and Jones," as an old Wendy James song (written by Elvis Costello) put it. Should be fun. This is a benefit for No Vote Left Behind. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $7

How hard do you like your rock to crunch? Akimbo are betting that the answer is "Hard—very hard," and would like to provide that service for you. Let them. The Catheters headline; Last Great Liar and Doomsday 1999 open. Paradox Theatre, 8 p.m. $5

Natalie Merchant

The time to catch her was back in the 10,000 Maniacs era, before her homogenous solo debut, Tigerlily, inexplicably shot up the charts and dominated soft-rock radio. Without the Maniacs' bouncy energy, Merchant's music descended into tiresome sameness. Still, her luminous voice, in its finer moments, can make a so-so song (cf. "Ophelia") a little bit beautiful. Marymoor Park, 7 p.m. $33.50/$49.50

Minus the Bear + the Helio Sequence + Kinski + the Thermals

This is some hi-larious bullshit, folks. Pyramid Alehouse, trusted pre–Seahawk/Mariner game stopover, is throwing a 20th anniversary bash with four of the hippest Pacific NW bands you'd never expect to see in an outdoor beer garden on the perimeter of Pioneer Square (pop and dance affections of the Thermals and MtB notwithstanding). The second "k" in Kinski stands for KEGGER! Pyramid Alehouse, 1201 First Ave. S. 206-682-3377, 4 p.m. $10 adv.

Swarming Hordes

Local art-metal outfit Swarming Hordes play instrumental mindbenders. The bassless trio is a dizzying thing to watch; the guitar players' fingers could easily beat a speeding bullet in the 50-yard dash—except that they'd probably never stay the straightforward course. Hence, we suppose, the name. Monkey Pub, 5305 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-523-6457, 9 p.m. $3

Volcano

Having formed—and then, smartly, promptly disbanded—Eyes Adrift with ex-Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh, Meat Puppets' frontman Curt Kirkwood is back with what is said to be his most Meat-y post–Meat Puppet sound. Gaugh is still on drums and we ask you, have you heard a better name for a drummer? Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $10

Wheedle's Groove

SEE FEATURE, P. 47. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10 adv.

Sunday, Aug. 22

Black Dice + Animal Collective

SEE CD REVIEWS, P. 57 AND 60. Neumo's, 7 p.m. $12 adv.

Dresden Dolls

Absolutely the best thing to come out of Boston in years. The punk-cabaret duo hammer on piano and drums while revealing Amanda Palmer's utmost inner secrets, and it's fascinating. Their concoction of sleazy German cabaret and impetuous punk ethos tastes both syrupy and sour. Slap on some white face paint, grab your bowler hat, and enter the dollhouse. Crocodile Cafe, 7 p.m., $8.

Hoot 4: Sam Jayne

As a rule, we tend to be skeptical of anything called a "jam," but this one features a favorite son home from the Big Apple (Sam Jayne from Love as Laughter), and this "intimate gathering of musicians and music enthusiasts" is said to be in the tradition of a similar S.F.–based event. Kincora's, 518 E. Pine St. 206-325-0436, 4 p.m. NC

Kottonmouth Kings

Remember how lousy most SoCal thrash with elements of hip-hop (not just trace elements, either—giant swipes of the stuff) is? Then you will know Kottonmouth Kings. This is the Hempfest Awards Show; Tilo, Wisdom, and the very appropriately monikered Potluck open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $12 adv.

Alexi Murdoch

A heretofore obscure singer-songwriter boosted by a teen-series soundtrack (The O.C.) and a melancholy, deadpan film (Garden State), Murdoch is nearing Minute 13 of his allotted quarter-hour. His meal ticket, "Orange Sky" is a very pretty acoustic guitar ballad, but your reaction to the phrase "you are my home" should ultimately dictate whether you pay to see him tonight. Tractor Tavern, 8:30 p.m. $12

Combining '60s sounds and sentiments with '90s indie rock, ageless twang, and aw-shucks honesty, Rogue Wave's debut, Out of the Shadow (Sub Pop), is making a name for itself with (you saw this coming, didn't you?) Shins fans all over the place. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8 E